I have been particularly struck by the statistics on the devastating effects COVID-19 has had on women in the workplace. Before the pandemic, women in Massachusetts were participating in the workforce at increasing rates, surpassing the national rate by 2019 – but the pandemic has brought women back to where they were after the 2009 recession.
Read MoreOur municipal employees, including our teachers and first responders, have been essential to the state’s COVID-19 response. We were disappointed to see Governor Baker’s amendment to exclude them from paid sick leave benefits.
Read MoreComprehensive bill also includes updates to Unemployment Insurance and Paycheck Protection Program loans, extends tax filing deadline
Read More“The Senate and House reaffirm today that this landmark climate legislation is too important to delay,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).
Read MoreThe Massachusetts House of Representatives and state Senate on Thursday March 11, 2021, passed legislation to extend mail-in voting and early voting options for elections held through the end of June 2021. The vote-by-mail provision was previously set to expire at the end of March 2021.
Read MoreWe can fight climate change, grow the economy, and support the most vulnerable at the same time. Doing all three is the mission the Legislature accepted in originally passing The Next Generation Roadmap bill and the actions of the House and the Senate will preserve this mission intact.
Read MoreThe Senate and House have reached agreement on a bill to help workers and employers jumpstart our nascent recovery as we begin to slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. This agreement strikes a balance to ensure that businesses can continue to move forward while protecting those working hard to keep the economy going. T
Read MoreA top priority for everyone in government, whether at the local, state or federal level, should be getting our students and teachers and staff back into the classroom safely.
Read MoreCOVID-19 Committee to probe Baker Administration plans, with testimony from the Joint Committees on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion; Healthcare Financing; and Public Health.
Read MoreToday, I am announcing the creation of the new Senate Special Committee on Reimagining Massachusetts: Post-Pandemic Resiliency. I look forward to it acting as a forum for oversight, coordination and ideas as we create a new vision for the Commonwealth’s future.
Read MorePhoto Exhibition Replaces Photos of Past Senate Presidents with Women from Massachusetts’ History; Current Installment Celebrates Accomplishments of Women of Color
Read MoreThe Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate reaffirmed its commitment today to addressing the climate crisis facing our Commonwealth by passing legislation that overhauls our state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects environmental justice communities.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Legislature passed $627 million in funding for a sweeping economic recovery and development bill which will provide much-needed support to businesses, investments in infrastructure, and creation of new jobs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More“As we begin our work this Senate session, we do so against a backdrop of national hardship – and those who would seek to divide us along political, ideological or racial lines. At this crucial, precarious time, however, there is no room in government for ‘us’ against ‘them.’ Here in Massachusetts, at least, there is no ‘them,’ there is only ‘us.’ And we will all rise and fall together.”
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Legislature on Tuesday, January 5, 20201, passed legislation aimed at eliminating racial inequities in maternal health.
Read MoreOn Monday, January 4th, the Massachusetts Legislature passed breakthrough climate legislation that overhauls the state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects environmental justice communities. The bill sets a 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions limit, as well as statewide limits every five years; increases the requirements for offshore wind energy procurement bringing the statewide total to 5,600 megawatts; requires emission reduction goals for MassSave, the state’s energy efficiency program; and, for the first time, establishes the criteria in statute that define environmental justice populations.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, December 23, 2020, Senate President Karen E. Spilka and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, along with their colleagues in the Legislature, voted to pass An Act promoting a resilient health care system that puts patients first.
Read MoreOn Monday, December 21, 2020, the Massachusetts State Senate made changes to an amendment to An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth, sent by Governor Baker, thereby allowing the original bill to advance to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Read MoreOn December 17, 2020, the Massachusetts State Senate passed S.2978, An act relative to sexual violence on higher education campuses.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Legislature passed its Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget, which invests in programs and services across the Commonwealth on December 4th, 2020. The budget aims to address the sweeping effects of the global pandemic by making targeted investments in housing, food security, and substance use addiction services, as well as domestic violence, sexual assault treatment and prevention programs. The budget also invests in programs that provide COVID-related supports for students and increases funding for developmental services, early education and childcare, and public health.
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